Newbie looking for a BP revolver. Questions

j8064 · May 3, 2020

Hooligan Input:

As has been stated shooting BP is very addictive. It begins with learning how to load, shoot and clean a simple BP revolver. Once making "white smoke" hooks you there's no end in sight.

I too looked at the current classified ad for the Traditions starter kit. I already have that pistol but it's a reasonably good place for a beginner to start. BP revolvers routinely go on sale. Depending on the firearm Traditions, Pedersoli, Pietta, Uberti products etc. can fill your need.

Shooting BP is very different than shooting modern smokeless powder firearms. Once you get addicted it leads to more guns like an 1847 Walker. And sooner or later you'll find yourself into muzzle loaders like flintlocks, 1861 Springfields and even building your own from kits. Don't ask me how I know...

Sirex, my recommendation is to find a mentor locally who can help you learn the basics and safety with BP. Making white smoke is something we Hooligans look forward to each season when the weather is warmer and dryer.

:thumbsup:

John from MD · May 3, 2020

The only reason they designed a special mold was because Ruger choose to make it a true .45 and it needed a .457 projectile. There were plenty of other ball and conicals out there but non would be very accurate out of the Old Army. I had one of the first ones issued and we actually used 200 gn .454 round flat bullets from a Lyman mold. In PA during primitive hunting season, I got permission from Fish and Game to carry it as my sidearm. (Never had to use it and it was damn heavy) The holster that came with it was a full flap with the Ruger logo on the flap.

Grand kids got it now.

Blacksmith101 · May 3, 2020

While looking I stumbled on some pure gold for Ruger Old Army shooters.

Link to the post on Cast Boolits (the cut and past copy to MSWord ran 7 pages):
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...Ruger-Old-Army&p=498635&viewfull=1#post498635

Here's Ed Harris's (Ed's Red) stuff on the ROA:

To: All Message #: 5492
From: Ed Harris Submitted: 09 Aug 93 17:25:00
Subject: Best Loads for the Ruger Status: Public
Received: No Group: FIREARMS (19)

RE: Best Loads for the Ruger Old Army
Best Loads for the Ruger Old Army

By C.E. Harris

Round balls are still the best choice for general use in either
light or heavy loads. They are easy to cast, accurate, and
effective for small game. A round ball at higher velocity is a
better killer and more accurate than the conicals. I see no good
reason to use the conical bullets at all in cap & ball revolvers.
There are other, better options, if you want a heavier bullet than
a ball.
......................It continues.

Mark75H · May 3, 2020

I see no good reason to use the conical bullets at all in cap & ball revolvers. There are other, better options, if you want a heavier bullet than
a ball.

Why were conicals developed if they serve no purpose?

K31 · May 3, 2020

SWO Daddy said:
They've been discontinued for years I thought? Just checked the Ruger website and there's no mention.

Yup. But there are more than a few that got shot little to not at all.

Pale Ryder · May 3, 2020

Conical’s I believe add a bit to down range accuracy and power. Mounted cavalry. Round balls even with higher charges shed velocity quickly. Not sure what the better alternative’s are instead of conical’s or ball.

Doco Overboard · May 3, 2020

Mark75H said:
Why were conicals developed if they serve no purpose?

Easy to make paper cartridges. A horse killing pill. 36gFFF right around 216gr conical in a 44 pistol.

Sirex · May 4, 2020

Are Hawes Firearms imported BP revolvers any good? I Googled and found they were sued for the imported cartridge fired guns sometimes going off when pulled from a holster, but not mich regarding the BP guns. There is a 1860 Army that has caught my eye. Thanks

John from MD · May 4, 2020

Hawes has not been made in some years. You would do well to stay away from models that do not have parts support. In the sixties and seventies, Italy and Germany were making BP revolvers under various names and for various importers. Their specs are off enough that you can't buy current parts and expect a drop in fit.

Pieta and Uberti and, to some extent, Pedersoli have pretty good parts support. Taylors, Dixie and Cimmeron have their guns made by these makers today and they are fully supported.

Unlike modern pistols and revolvers, the BP revolvers do break parts. Hand springs and bolt springs are the most common parts that break. Sure, you can make replacements if you are handy enough but if you aren't, you need the drop in part support.

winch · May 4, 2020

I've got 3 different versions of the Pietta .44 caliber: 1858, SS Buffalo, Navy. They all take the same round which simplifies things. There are probably better guns out there but for the money, Pietta is fine with me. Don't tell anybody that these can ship right to your door. I bought all of my stuff from Cabelas. They frequently have sales. Go all steel, they say brass stretches but IDK.

Sirex · May 4, 2020

John from MD said:
Hawes has not been made in some years. You would do well to stay away from models that do not have parts support. In the sixties and seventies, Italy and Germany were making BP revolvers under various names and for various importers. Their specs are off enough that you can't buy current parts and expect a drop in fit.

Pieta and Uberti and, to some extent, Pedersoli have pretty good parts support. Taylors, Dixie and Cimmeron have their guns made by these makers today and they are fully supported.

Unlike modern pistols and revolvers, the BP revolvers do break parts. Hand springs and bolt springs are the most common parts that break. Sure, you can make replacements if you are handy enough but if you aren't, you need the drop in part support.

Yeah, this one appears to be an Italian import. It has the right look to it for me though. Steel frame, a slight worn look to it, not too flashy. Kinda looks like a used Civil war pistol, unlike the real ones which appear to be more $ than I can spend. The is a London Army pistol that looks pretty similar. I think it is Uberti if I am not mistaken.

Sirex · May 4, 2020

This specifically is the one I am watching;
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/865998996

John from MD · May 4, 2020

I would search and compare the proof marks. It may be one that was made in Spain. Spanish build BP firearms are inferior to Italian built.

Mini14tac · May 4, 2020

Here is a thread where EMF just had a sale on some of their cap and ball revolvers. They are Pietta. I picked up this 1858 for $273 shipped to my door. I believe this model is out of stock but I’ll bet they will have them back in stock soon. They do have the 1860 Brass for $210 right now.

https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=243926

benton0311 · May 4, 2020

1858 Rapid Reload:
https://youtu.be/c6M0pia9frY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3rj89cqQQ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeqLL2xuSQs

Kirst Konverters
https://www.kirstkonverter.com/

Howell Converters
https://www.howellarms.com/

1858 from the EMF sale and my old brass-framed 1858 that's been cut down to 3.9":

BeoBill · May 4, 2020

winch said:
...Don't tell anybody that these can ship right to your door...

Sidebar:

FYI, there is a lunatic State Delegate from Germantown that keeps submitting a bill to put BP pistols legal firearms (i.e., HQL; no face to face sales, etc.). We've gone through the same nonsense dance for the last couple of years. Be wary - she'll be back.

Now back to the discussion...

BeoBill · May 4, 2020

Sirex said:
This specifically is the one I am watching;
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/865998996

Current Bid
$235.00

For slightly more money you could buy a new Remington on sale anywhere. From what's been said about Hawes, you're buying someone else's headache. And gunsmithing cost when something internal breaks.

But it's your money and time...

6Den · May 4, 2020

OP, I have a nice Uberti 1858 .44 that I might part with. It's been sitting since I also have an ROA. I should have lots of extras for it too. PM me if interested.

Sirex · May 4, 2020

BeoBill said:
For slightly more money you could buy a new Remington on sale anywhere. From what's been said about Hawes, you're buying someone else's headache. And gunsmithing cost when something internal breaks.

But it's your money and time...

I didn't bid on the Hawes. To much uncertainty, but I really like the used look. I see Remington and Colt replicas all over. I have seen a few genuine Colt BP guns, but generally out of my price range. I kinda want a blued, steel frame gun, with wood grips. Nothing shiny or flashy yet, to match a lever gun. I am looking at a very flashy gun, but not sure if I can afford it yet. It's a Pietta (sp?)

Sirex · May 4, 2020

6Den said:
OP, I have a nice Uberti 1858 .44 that I might part with. It's been sitting since I also have an ROA. I should have lots of extras for it too. PM me if interested.

Sending PM

Newbie looking for a BP revolver. Questions

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